During The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity’s summer PIKE University event, The Academy, the University of South Dakota Pi Kappa Alpha Chapter took home top honors.

Vermillion, SD — For the fifth consecutive year, the Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE) fraternity at the University of South Dakota was honored with The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity’s most prestigious award – the Robert Adger Smythe Award, among numerous other honors and accolades during the Fraternity’s summer PIKE University educational event, The Academy, held in Memphis, TN July 27 – July 29.

Pi Kappa Alpha is thriving on more than 230 college and university campuses throughout the United States and Canada. At USD, the PIKES accomplished the following accolades during the 2016-17 academic year, which led the chapter to earn the Smythe Award:

· Donated more than $41,400 to philanthropic causes, most benefiting local sick and injured children

· Dedicated over 13,230 hours to community service

· Earned a chapter GPA of 3.0, with more than 40 men named Dean’s List Scholars

· 100% campus involvement amongst members

· Held more than 70 campus leadership roles

· Athletics success through intramural sports

· Sent over 50 men to international events through PIKE University, Pi Kappa Alpha’s educational enterprise

· South Dakota Board of Regents Award for Community Service

· Named USD’s Fraternity of the Year, the Ionic Award

· Individual Honors: Chapter President of the Year, Fraternity Sophomore of the Year, New Student Leader of the Year, Community Spirit Award, and Fraternity Alumni of the Year

· Friendship Pillar

· Citizenship Pillar

The Smythe Award is the highest international honor bestowed on the top percent of Pi Kappa Alpha chapters. This honor recognizes a chapter that has excelled and set the standard of excellence on their collegiate campus—and also internationally.

While at The Academy, the USD PIKES were also bestowed the following top honors: Raymond L. Orians Excellence Award, Chapter Alumni Advisory Board of the Year, 25 Man Commitment for PIKE University, Pi Kappa Alpha Scholarship Plate, 100% phi phi kappa alpha Club participation, respectively. The USD PIKES were also finalists for programming honors.

The Smythe Award honors the work of young men who have committed to the meaning of Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, Gentlemen – Pi Kappa Alpha’s four cornerstones – while supporting the community and each other. Third year Medical Biology and Physics double-major and Pi Kappa Alpha President Sawyer Stevens, of Marshall, MN, is proud of all the PIKES have accomplished. “Being a PIKE at USD is the highlight for many young men,” Stevens said. “We are fortunate to be provide opportunities that enhance the college years, while making a difference in the community.”

The Smythe Award is based upon excelling in 16 areas of operations: membership recruitment, chapter programming, scholastics, philanthropy, community service, member retention, member and new member education, athletic performance, management, risk awareness, campus involvement and leadership, community involvement, consultant vision analysis scores, and international involvement.